The majority of the team arrived safely and on time from the JFK airport to Port-au-Prince. Three team members from California and Canada arrived about four hours late due to plane issues at the Newark Airport. Those who arrived from JFK landed at the airport about 1:30 p.m. and had a great lunch in Port-au-Prince and then picked up the remainder of the team at around 6:00 p.m. We were blessed with a nice air-conditioned bus which definitely made the journey to Les Cayes more comfortable followed by the famous spaghetti dinner.
On Wednesday we spent the full day with the kids in Chantal. There were English lessons, art therapy activities, painting, clearing the soccer field, handing out new clothing for all the children and most importantly spending time together and getting to know the children of RFA and fellow team members.
Thursday found us in drenching rain. The rock bed of a river that we must cross was flooded so we had to walk accross a bridge and hopped into two tap-taps for the rest of the way. Once we arrived at the RFA house in Chantal the kids were very excited to see us and get started on the activities even though mother nature was dumping buckets of water onto us. Bev rocked the English lessons with premade flashcards in Haition Creole and English. Leander and Anna had a blast teaching the children how to play volleyball. Ali and Sandy led a beading session and made nice necklaces, bracelets and rings. Mareyna, Casey ran the tie-dye project along with Cluny’s management expertise. Jake led the DNA gumdrop experiment. Nina and Kyle put together the new steps that were donated to make the entrance into the house much easier. Molly heped out wherever help was needed and spent much time snuggling and holding the kids. Janice made sure that the community children were fed while we had our lunch.
A definite highlight of this trip so far would be our mode of transportation! We have been taking tap-taps which are old pickup trucks converted into taxis. They are brightly painted and very bumpy!
Tomorrow we are hoping to go to Port Salut weather permitting. Pastor Lubin says the forecast looks good and we are very excited to bring the children to the beach. Saturday we hope to really make progress on the soccer field and goal construction on our property in Chantal. Our team is filled with laughter and excitement. We are glad to finally have an opportunity to have internet available and hope to post another update and a few photos tomorrow!
